JP2010171612A - Document reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost and simple-structure document reader which adjusts the opening angle of an opening and closing part at an arbitrary angle. <P>SOLUTION: The document reader 1 has a copyboard 10 on which a document is placed, and a document holder 20 which opens and closes an upper part 10a that is supported at a base end 20A and rotatable around a width-directional axis, and includes a copyboard glass 11 of the copyboard 10. In this case, the document reader 1 has an angle control member 31 which controls the opening angle of the document holder 20 with contacting with the base end 20A, and a contact position adjustment mechanism 32 which moves the contact position of the angle control member 31 to the base end 20A in the depth direction perpendicular to the width direction along the upper part 10a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus.

  In general, a document reading apparatus includes a document table on which a document is placed and reads image data, and an opening / closing unit that opens and closes a placement surface of the document table. The opening / closing unit is rotatably supported by a hinge mechanism or the like. ing. When reading an image, the open / close unit is closed and a document placed on the placement surface is pressed to acquire image data.

  As such a document reading device, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known. In this document reading device, the user can open the opening / closing part and adjust the angle as necessary in order to solve the problem that it is difficult for a wheelchair user or the like to reach when the opening / closing part is opened. An opening / closing mechanism (hinge mechanism) is provided. The opening / closing mechanism includes a stopper member that is disposed on the back side of the apparatus and has a plurality of locking portions in the vertical direction, and a locking member that is selectively locked to any one of the locking portions. Furthermore, an operation lever is disposed on the front side of the apparatus, and the operation lever is operated to select the engagement position of the engagement member.

JP 2005-49659 A

  However, since the opening / closing mechanism has a complicated structure and is expensive, there is a problem that it is difficult to apply it to a document reading apparatus purchased by a general consumer. In addition, the angle restriction by the opening / closing mechanism is a stepwise process according to the number of the engaging portions, and there is a problem that the opening angle of the opening / closing portion cannot be adjusted to an arbitrary angle that is most easily used by the user. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a document reading apparatus capable of adjusting the opening angle of the opening / closing section to an arbitrary angle with a low cost and a simple configuration.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a document table on which a document is placed, and a document table that is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a predetermined direction with a base end as a fulcrum. A document reading device having an opening / closing portion to be operated, an angle restricting member that contacts the base end portion to restrict an opening angle of the opening / closing portion, and a contact position of the angle restricting member with respect to the base end portion, A configuration is adopted in which a contact position adjusting mechanism is provided that is movable in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction along the placement surface.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the opening angle is regulated by bringing the angle regulating member into contact with the base end of the opening / closing part. Further, the opening angle can be arbitrarily adjusted by restricting the rotation range of the opening / closing portion by making the contact position of the angle restricting member movable in the orthogonal direction.

In the present invention, the contact position adjusting mechanism supports the angle regulating member and is movable in the orthogonal direction with respect to the document table, and is screwed in the orthogonal direction to A screw member for screwing the document table and the casing unit, and a biasing member provided between the document table and the casing unit and biasing the casing unit in a direction opposite to the screwing direction of the screw member. The structure which has a biasing member is employ | adopted.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the angle regulating member can be arbitrarily moved in the orthogonal direction by rotating the screw member and adjusting the screwing amount.

In the present invention, there is provided a document fall prevention member that extends in the predetermined direction and projects with respect to the placement surface, and the angle regulating member projects from the document fall prevention member in the orthogonal direction. A configuration that is provided is adopted.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the angle regulating member can be manufactured integrally with the document fall prevention member, which contributes to a reduction in manufacturing cost without increasing the number of parts. it can. In addition, since the angle restricting member is integrally provided so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the document dropping prevention member, the strength is improved, and damage at the time of contact with the base end portion is more reliably prevented. The

In the present invention, the contact position adjusting mechanism includes a rotation shaft portion that rotatably supports the angle restricting member around an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, and the angle restricting member includes: A configuration in which outer peripheral surfaces having different distances from the rotating shaft portion are employed is employed.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, it is possible to move the position of the outer peripheral surface in contact with the base end portion in the orthogonal direction by rotating the angle regulating member around the rotation shaft portion. .

Moreover, in this invention, the said outer peripheral surface employ | adopts the structure that the said distance gradually increases as it goes to any one side around the said axis | shaft.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, it is possible to adjust the opening angle arbitrarily according to the rotation direction of the angle regulating member.

According to the present invention, a document having a document table on which a document is placed, and an opening / closing part that is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in a predetermined direction with a base end as a fulcrum and opens and closes the placement surface of the document table. The reading device, the angle regulating member that abuts on the base end portion to regulate the opening angle of the opening and closing portion, and the contact position of the angle regulating member with respect to the base end portion along the placement surface. By adopting a configuration that includes a contact position adjusting mechanism that is movable in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, the opening angle is regulated by bringing the angle regulating member into contact with the base end of the opening / closing part. In addition, the opening angle can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the contact position of the angle restricting member so that it can move in the orthogonal direction.
Therefore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a document reading apparatus capable of adjusting the opening angle of the opening / closing section to an arbitrary angle with a low cost and a simple configuration.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a document reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the angle control part in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the angle control part in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is line AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is a back side perspective view which shows the mode of the movement of the angle control member using the contact position adjustment mechanism in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a back side perspective view which shows the mode of the movement of the angle control member using the contact position adjustment mechanism in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of the restriction | limiting of the opening angle of the document pressing part in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the original document reading apparatus in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the angle control part in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of the restriction | limiting of the opening angle of the document pressing part in 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a document reading apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The document reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is provided on an upper part of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. The document reading apparatus 1 regulates the document table 10 on which the document is placed, the document pressing unit (opening / closing unit) 20 that opens and closes the upper surface (mounting surface) 10 a of the document table 10, and the opening angle of the document pressing unit 20. And an angle restricting portion 30.

  The document table 10 is an operation including a document placement glass 11 on which a document is placed, a scanner (not shown) that is disposed on the back side of the document placement glass 11 and reads image data of a document, and a command key for starting a document reading operation. Panel 12. Further, on the rear side with respect to the front side where the operation panel 12 is provided, the document placement glass 11 extends in the long side direction (predetermined direction) in order to prevent the document drop due to the pull-in when the document pressing unit 20 is opened. An existing document fall prevention member 13 is projected from the upper surface 10a.

  The document pressing unit 20 is connected to the back side of the document table 10 via a hinge member 21. The document pressing portion 20 is configured to be rotatable about an axis in which the distal end portion 20B extends in the width direction (predetermined direction) of the document table 10 with the base end portion 20A as a fulcrum by the hinge member 21. An automatic document feeder 22 is mounted on the document pressing portion 20 in the present embodiment, and the user can use the automatic document feeder 22 as necessary.

Next, the configuration of the angle restricting unit 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the angle restricting portion 30 in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the angle restricting portion 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
The angle restricting portion 30 is in contact with the base end portion 20A to restrict the opening angle of the document pressing portion 20, and the angle restricting member 31 is movable in the depth direction (orthogonal direction) of the document table 10. A contact position adjusting mechanism 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the angle regulating member 31 is provided integrally with the document dropping prevention member 13 inside the hinge member 21. The angle restricting members 31 are provided at both end portions of the document fall preventing member 13 and are provided so as to protrude from the both end portions to the back side in the depth direction. The angle restricting member 31 and the document fall preventing member 13 are substantially U-shaped in plan view. Further, the angle regulating member 31 has an inclined shape that gradually increases to a position where it can come into contact with the base end portion 20A.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the contact position adjusting mechanism 32 includes a frame (housing) 33 that can slide in the depth direction, and a screw (screw member) 34 that screws the frame 33 and the document table 10 together. And a coil spring (biasing member) 35 provided between the frame 33 and the document table 10.
The frame 33 constitutes a part of the casing of the document table 10 and supports the angle regulating member 31. The frame 33 in this embodiment is formed integrally with the document fall prevention member 13 and the angle regulating member 31. Further, the frame 33 is formed with an insertion port 36 through which a screw 34 is inserted in the center in the width direction (see FIG. 4). The frame 33 fits into a recess (groove) formed in the upper surface 10 a of the document table 10. The concave portion guides the side walls on both sides of the frame 33 when the frame 33 moves in the depth direction, and acts to prevent the frame 33 from being inclined.

The screw 34 has a male screw 37 that can be screwed into a female screw (tap) 10 b formed in the depth direction on the back side of the document table 10. The screws 34 screw the document table 10 and the frame 33 in the depth direction. The screw 34 also has a function as a slide guide in the depth direction of the frame 33.
The coil spring 35 is provided with a screw 34 at its axis, and is disposed between the frame 33 and the document table 10. The coil spring 35 is configured to urge the frame 33 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the screw 34 is screwed in (in the depth direction) by the restoring force. With this configuration, the frame 33 is held between the coil spring 35 and the head (head) of the screw 34.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, an operation for adjusting the opening angle of the document pressing unit 20 using the angle regulating unit 30 having the above-described configuration will be described.
5 and 6 are rear side perspective views showing a state of movement of the angle regulating member 31 using the contact position adjusting mechanism 32 in the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 and 6, the document pressing portion 20 and the hinge member 21 are not shown in order to improve the visibility.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the opening angle of the document pressing portion 20 is regulated in the first embodiment of the present invention. 7A shows a state where the angle restricting member 31 is in the position shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7B shows a state where the angle restricting member 31 is in the position shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the opening angle of the document pressing portion 20 is restricted when the base end portion 20 </ b> A and the angle restriction member 31 come into contact with each other. More specifically, the base end portion 20A (the base end portion 20A whose rotation direction is opposite to the distal end portion 20B) on the back side of the rotation fulcrum 21a by the hinge member 21 is in contact with the back surface of the angle regulating member 31. The opening angle is regulated by.

  The adjustment from the opening angle shown in FIG. 7 (a) to the opening angle shown in FIG. 7 (b) is achieved by the rotation of the screw 34 screwed into the back side of the document table 10 shown in FIG. When the screw 34 is rotated in the direction to release the screw, the frame 33 is moved in the depth direction by the urging force of the coil spring 35 (see FIG. 6). That is, the contact position of the angle regulating member 31 is changed to the back side in the depth direction. For this reason, the rotation range of the document pressing portion 20 is limited, and the opening angle becomes small as shown in FIG. In this way, the user can adjust the screwing amount by rotating the screw 34 to move the contact position of the angle restricting member 31 in the depth direction, so that the opening angle of the document pressing portion 20 can be most easily used. Adjust to any angle.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the document table 10 on which the document is placed, and the document placement glass 11 of the document table 10 provided so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction with the base end 20A serving as a fulcrum. The document reading device 1 includes a document pressing unit 20 that opens and closes the upper surface 10a including the angle limiting member 31 that contacts the base end 20A to limit the opening angle of the document pressing unit 20, and the base end 20A. By adopting a configuration in which the contact position adjusting mechanism 32 that allows the contact position of the angle restricting member 31 to be movable in the depth direction perpendicular to the width direction along the upper surface 10a is adopted, The opening angle is regulated by bringing the angle regulating member 31 into contact with the base end portion 20A, and the opening angle is changed by changing the abutting position of the angle regulating member 31 to be movable in the depth direction. It is possible to adjust the arbitrarily.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is an effect that it is possible to provide the document reading apparatus 1 that can adjust the opening angle of the document pressing unit 20 to an arbitrary angle with a low cost and a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the contact position adjusting mechanism 32 supports the angle restricting member 31 and is movable in the depth direction with respect to the document table 10 and the document table 10 screwed in the depth direction. A configuration is adopted in which a screw 34 for screwing the frame 33 and a coil spring 35 provided between the document table 10 and the frame 33 and biasing the frame 33 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the screw 34 is screwed are employed. By doing so, the angle regulating member 31 can be arbitrarily moved in the depth direction by rotating the screw 34 and adjusting the screwing amount. Further, the opening angle of the document pressing portion 20 can be finely adjusted continuously instead of stepwise.

  Further, when the automatic document feeder 22 is mounted on the document pressing unit 20 as in the present embodiment, the automatic document feeder 22 includes a paper feeding device and driving means for rotating each roller. A large load is applied to the hinge member 21 (opening of the document pressing portion 20) at the time of opening, and the hinge member 21 is easily damaged. However, if the angle restricting member 31 is configured to come into contact with the base end portion 20A prior to the opening / closing restricting configuration of the hinge member 21 as in the present embodiment, the load on the hinge member 21 is subject to the angle restricting member 31. Can be received instead and can prevent damage. Further, since the impact at the time of contact with the base end portion 20A is absorbed and attenuated by the elastic deformation of the coil spring 35 provided in the contact position adjusting mechanism 32, damage to the angle regulating member 31 itself can be prevented. .

  Further, in the first embodiment, the document dropping prevention member 13 that extends in the width direction and protrudes with respect to the upper surface 10 a is provided, and the angle regulating member 31 protrudes from the document dropping prevention member 13 to the back side in the depth direction. By adopting the configuration of being provided, the angle regulating member 31 and the document dropping prevention member 13 can be manufactured integrally, which contributes to a reduction in manufacturing cost without causing an increase in the number of parts. it can. Further, since the angle regulating member 31 is integrally provided so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the document dropping prevention member 13, the strength is improved, and the damage at the time of contact with the base end portion 20A is more sure. To be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, description of the part which has the same structure as the said embodiment is omitted.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the document reading apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the angle restricting portion 30 in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the opening angle of the document pressing portion 20 is regulated in the second embodiment of the present invention.
The angle restricting portions 30 of the second embodiment are provided at both end portions of the document drop preventing member 13, respectively.

The contact position adjusting mechanism 32 of the second embodiment includes a rotating shaft portion 40 that rotatably supports the angle restricting member 31 around an axis extending in the height direction (perpendicular to the upper surface 10a).
The angle restricting member 31 of the second embodiment has an outer peripheral surface 31a having different distances from the rotation shaft portion 40. More specifically, in the outer peripheral surface 31a in FIG. 9, the distance from the rotation shaft portion 40 gradually increases as it goes clockwise (one side in the rotation direction), and the distance returns to the initial state after one round. It has a roughly slender shape.

According to the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, the position of the outer peripheral surface 31 a in contact with the base end portion 20 </ b> A can be moved in the depth direction by rotating the angle regulating member 31 around the rotation shaft portion 40. It becomes possible. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the angle regulating member 31 can be rotated to arbitrarily adjust the opening angle of the document pressing portion 20.
Further, according to the second embodiment, the opening angle can be easily adjusted from the front side without operating the screw 34 from the back side of the document table 10 as in the first embodiment.
Further, since the angle regulating member 31 itself is not configured to move in the depth direction, the contact state of the angle regulating member 31 can be easily visually recognized from the front side. Therefore, the user can easily determine the opening / closing restriction range of the previous user, and the user is prevented from accidentally opening the document pressing portion 20 beyond the angle restriction range. For this reason, it is possible to more reliably avoid damage due to an erroneous operation of the document pressing portion 20. Furthermore, a visual recognition means that can recognize the adjustment amount of the opening angle may be provided. For example, a means such as providing a scale (large, medium, or small opening angle) on the upper surface 10a or attaching an arrow to the slanted ball-shaped angle regulating member 31 may be used.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring drawings, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described embodiments are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 31a of the angle restricting member 31 in the second embodiment has been described as having a substantially slanting shape in plan view, but the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, for example, An elliptical shape or an eccentric circular shape may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Document reader, 10 ... Document stand, 10a ... Upper surface (mounting surface), 13 ... Document fall prevention member, 20 ... Document pressing part (opening / closing part), 20A ... Base end part, 31 ... Angle regulating member, 31a ... outer peripheral surface, 32 ... contact position adjusting mechanism, 33 ... frame (housing part), 34 ... screw (screw member), 35 ... coil spring (biasing member), 40 ... rotating shaft part

Claims (5)

A document reading apparatus comprising: a document table on which a document is placed; and an opening / closing unit that is provided to be rotatable about an axis extending in a predetermined direction with a base end as a fulcrum and opens and closes a placement surface of the document table.
An angle regulating member that abuts the base end portion and regulates an opening angle of the opening and closing portion;
A document reading system comprising: a contact position adjusting mechanism that allows a contact position of the angle restricting member to the base end portion to be movable in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction along the placement surface. apparatus. The contact position adjusting mechanism supports the angle restricting member and is movable in the orthogonal direction with respect to the document table;
A screw member that is screwed in the orthogonal direction to screw the document table and the housing portion;
The biasing member that is provided between the document table and the housing portion and biases the housing portion in a direction opposite to a direction in which the screw member is screwed. Document reading device. A document dropping prevention member extending in the predetermined direction and projecting with respect to the placement surface,
The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle regulating member is provided so as to protrude in the orthogonal direction from the document fall preventing member. The contact position adjusting mechanism has a rotating shaft portion that rotatably supports the angle restricting member around an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface.
The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle restricting member has outer peripheral surfaces having different distances from the rotation shaft portion.   5. The document reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the outer peripheral surface has a substantially sloping ball shape in which the distance gradually increases toward one of the sides around the axis.

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